Past Steelers Executive Gives Omar Khan A Dynamic Strategy For 2026 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers are getting set to host the 2026 NFL Draft in just a few weeks in the Steel City. There is a lot of buzz around the city with all the eyes around the NFL on Pittsburgh in late April and the excitement it will bring. Preparations are underway on the North Shore as the event inches closer. The organization has plenty of draft capital and a chance to use some of that to bolster next year's selections for the event. Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently spoke with former NFL General Manager Doug Whaley about the change in this approach.

General Manager Omar Khan has done great work so far in finding replacements to fill holes for the 2026 team throughout the offseason, and has received the deserved praise for it as well. 

While the team is still awaiting a decision from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Whaley's reason for his comments are that the team most likely would not be able to trade up high enough to get a top end quarterback this year. This 2026 quarterback class has also taken a hit, as several guys who were thought to be first-round picks have since seen their stocks drop, or stayed in college.

“The Steelers have three third-round picks. I’d use one and then trade the other two for second-round picks in next year’s draft,” Whaley said. “Then you would have some ammunition. Now that’s easier said than done. It’s easy to say trade back, but someone has to want to come up.”

With the team holding those three third-round picks, it has flexibility to part way with or two of those as Whaley eluded to. This newly proposed strategy makes perfect sense, as Rodgers is also strongly believed to be returning to Pittsburgh for a second year in the Black and Gold. It is also expected that next year's quarterback class should be better and the timing of that tracks with the Steelers longer term plans.

Rodgers, who is set to turn 43 in December, most likely will not be back in 2027, which would then allow the organization to look at a long-term franchise quarterback. 

New Head Coach Mike McCarthy could then either shift to Will Howard as the starter in Pittsburgh after another year learning under Rodgers or could have a competition at the position if the front office decides to draft a quarterback next year. The aggressive approach by the organization in free agency also allows for this proposed scenario by Whaley to happen.

Steelers' Free Agency Approach Leading To Many Benefits

The proactive and aggressive approach to free agency by Khan is paying dividends in a big way thus far. While the team got younger based on the signings of several players at key positions, it also opens up the flexibility to pull off a trade of picks to bolster the team's draft capital for 2026. By being proactive rather than reactivate, the team now has less pressing positions of need heading into the draft; although, there are positions of need still on the roster.

While the team has been mocked to possibly select a wide receiver in the first round, the trade for Michael Pittman Jr. may push those plans back to the second round or later. The departure of offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo also means the team may select a lineman with the 21st overall pick in the first round. While there is speculation galore this time of year, the organization truly has flexibility to go in several different directions in the first round.

With that said, the list of needs has shrunk for Pittsburgh, so Whaley's theorized scenario would be a smart move by the organization. Adding an extra second round pick to next year's draft capital would provide the team with more value in the prospects they select and strengthen its 2027 draft class. While rumors like this are popular right now, this is one that would be a smart move by the Steelers.

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